Ghosts of the Past [ RDR2 - Arthur Morgan ]

Chapter 48 - Eleven Miles

Word count - 2040

Posting a day early! No Chapter tomorrow
This is tomorrow's chapter!

Chapter 48 - Eleven Miles.

At long last, Arthur's wait was over, he moved without any further pause to kneel beside her. His hand was immediately searching her forehead for signs of fever. "How are ya feeling? Sore? I - I can get you some water?" his questions came out in a rush.

Her response was slow. Voice still rough with sleep "'M still tired."

He moved to grab the canteen of water from the bedside, pressing it up to her lips "Drink-" He insisted softly. Helping her sit up slightly as he did.

Rose made a little noise of unsureness in her hazy, tired mind, but drank deeply. Her time playing damsel in distress had not offered her much luxuries, not even water. So it had been a long time since she'd drank.

Once the canteen was removed, his hands found their way back to her face. Unable to stop himself from touching her. The large calloused palms cupped her cheeks now as he leaned slightly over her. Pressing his forehead to hers for a moment just to appreciate her being here. Alive. Aware. Awake.

"God, 'm so glad you're awake. You do this on purpose? Pay back for Clements Point?" Half a joke to lighten the mood as he pulled back to look at her properly. Searching her face for signs of distress.

Rose shakily reached and wrapped her thin fingers around his forearm to tug his hand down from her head. She was clearly still weak - perhaps even in need of another day or two's rest. But she was awake. Those sharp green eyes back in full focus, even if gazing at him through heavy lids.

The corner of her lips tugged up in an attempted teasing grin that just fell slightly short. "You were unconscious a hell of a lot longer than I was." Then a pause as she glanced around sluggishly. "I think... How long was I out?" Her voice was a little more sheepish now as she realised she had no idea how long she'd been sleeping for. The way Arthur was acting, it might have been weeks. The way she felt, the stiffness in her bones, it might have been days.

The look Arthur gave her was nothing short of admiration and care. A look he'd worn quite often over the past twenty-four hours. Taking his arm back from her, he tugged his worn hat from his head and tossed it gently aside, running his fingers through his slightly dirty hair. "'Bout a day or so." He answered. "Always knew you could sleep for Texas, but you really outdone yourself this time."

Rose nodded softly, shifting to sit up slightly against the bed frame, looking .... where are we?"

"Somewhere safe." Was his immediate reply, moving with her to sit on his chosen chair that he'd spent the night on. "Darlin'.... You remember much?"

There was a long pregnant pause. "...He buried?"

"Facing Rhodes."

Rose's eyes lifted to see him. Slightly watery. Breath slightly shaky. "He didn't deserve that." She whispered. "He was good. He was - I dragged him back into this world. One he fought to get outta."

Reaching out to take her good hand, he ran his thumb over the back of her knuckle. "I don't think you coulda made that man do anything he didn't want to." His words were filled with assurance. It quelled Rose's blame just slightly.